Seoul: The defense ministry has announced plans to disband the Defense Counterintelligence Command, which has been implicated in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed attempt to impose martial law in December 2024. This decision marks the end of the command's 49-year history.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the command allegedly played a significant role in the short-lived martial law attempt, with its former commander currently on trial for deploying troops to the National Assembly and the National Election Commission on the night of the attempted martial law. Hong Hyun-ik, head of a special reform committee, stated in a briefing that the committee has recommended the constructive dismantling of the command and the redistribution or elimination of its functions, including security investigation, counterintelligence, and security audit.

The reform committee, made up of military, government, and civilian officials, has advised the creation of a new organization focused on counterintelligence, counterterrorism, and arms industry intelligence. Hong also suggested establishing a separate unit for personnel verification and transferring investigative functions to the ministry's existing investigative headquarters. Functions related to gathering information on military personnel and trends are recommended for elimination.

To ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities, the committee emphasized the need for a cooperative body to facilitate the sharing of relevant information. Hong stressed that the reform should enhance counterintelligence and security functions crucial to national security while upholding democratic control and constitutional values.

The initiative is part of the defense ministry's broader efforts to rebuild the military following the martial law attempt, which resulted in the removal of several senior military leaders, including the heads of the counterintelligence command, defense intelligence command, and capital defense command. A report submitted to lawmakers last year highlighted the command's "excessive" rights and recommended that its functions be adjusted to focus solely on counterintelligence activities.